Steep It Loose — WHOLE LEAF TEA

People have been smoking food for as long as anyone can remember, and not just for preservation. The origins of different smoked foods range from deliberate to accidental, but in many cases the added flavor quickly became well liked and sought after. More than just being a delicious flavor that’s popular across the world, smokiness is almost entirely unique and can add a fun twist to just about anything, from marinades to cocktails and desserts. With Summer officially on its way, and Father’s Day around the corner, what better to bring back the smoky flavor of grills and campfires than...

Herbal Teas for Women's Health & Hormone Balance (And They’re Not Only for Women!) Women’s lives go through widely varying hormonal phases: from childhood, through teenage years to adulthood (and perhaps becoming a mother), and eventually, menopause and aging. At each phase the body and mind are developing, changing, continuously discovering the new human we are today. These transitions remind me of the words of Toni Morrison “You are your best thing” (Beloved). As a woman-owned and operated business centered on health and wellness, we’re keen on understanding the benefits of tea and herbals at all these different stages in a...

  Written by Jordan Overlie and Maria Uspenski Our sourcing team was most fortunate to visit China last year, and spent a week during that trip in Yunnan, traveling and bushwhacking with local farmers in search of wild tea trees. Yunnan Province is in the southwestern corner of China, vast in size, largely wild and undeveloped. It has legendary status as the birthplace of tea, and touts Ideal growing conditions: rich soil on mountainous terrain with excellent drainage, strong sun, cool nights and humid air, and strong plant diversity. These conditions allow wild tea trees to develop and produce high...

Today, I'm exploring the namesake of our 8 Immortals Oolong: The 8 Immortals are a group of mythological heroes, believed to have a special connection with the secrets of nature, endowing them with physical and/or spiritual immortality. They have figured prominently in Chinese folklore from the ancient times of the Tang dynasty (7c - 10c) and have been a part of written art and culture since the Ming dynasty (14c - 17c). Each of the 8 Immortals is endowed with a specific supernatural power. Their stories and capabilities range from a beggar who wards off evil and heals the sick,...